Sunday Sermon

Why did Christ give back the young man to his mother, after having restored him to life? Did he still belong to his mother? No; once death has intervened, although one is restored to life by a miracle, all the bonds are loosed which during life connect men with each other, whether they arise from natural ties, or from mutual agreement. Thus, if today a husband dies, and tomorrow is restored to life again, his former marriage is annulled, and both husband and wife are freed from all obligations toward each other. Still, if a child restored to life should belong to any one, there is no doubt that it is to his mother. Therefore: “He gave him to his mother.” After this digression I return to the matter I have already spoken of. I have said and proved that it is indispensably necessary to make restitution in order to avoid eternal damnation, so that inability alone can excuse one from making it. But there is still one point, and that is the manner and circumstances of restitution.